Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-06-17
Fleeing a Farmer.

pick up in the cities stray victims from
the rural districts, number Of expert
bunco swindlers have adopted the bold
tactics of entering the rural districts
themselves and selecting their victims
directly from the farms. Three of these
sharpers are now working Pennsylvania
counties, and, according to the returns
thus far received, they have succeeded
in pocketing no less than $4,000 in two
or three counties within the past ten
DAYS. Their method Of working is the
same in every case. They obtain in
formation as to farmers who have farms
to sell. and who can readily command
snug sums of ready money, and then
proceed according to the following in
stance: John Hummell is a rich farmer
living In Snyder county, across the
river from Sunbury. He had advertised
farm for sale. Last week he received
letter signed by c. II. Baxter, NJ. d.,
who wanted to buy farm, and who
made an engagement by letter to call
and see Hummell's property. A couple
of days later two we!l-dressed, substan-
tial-looking men drove up TO HummelPs
farm house. One of them introduced
himself to the farmer as his correspond
ent, DR.. Baxter, and then presented his
companion as w. III. Morton, esq, his
lawyer. Hummell showed the visitors
over the farm. 1t was entirely satisfac-
tory, and the three leaned over the
farmers front fence trying to come to
satisfactory terms for the purchase of
the property. As they were talking
another well-dressed stranger drove up
and stopped. He told Farmer Hummell
that he was contracting for the use OF
barn doors and fences to paint adver-
tisements on and, after talking with
him awhile, the third stranger produced
a small satchel. Opening it he displayed
a number of envelopes, which he said
contained prizes ranging from 50 to
Sc 900, and if any of the party desired to
take their chances on making a little
fortune, the investment of So would
give the chance. This sch enc seemed
to interest DR.. Bakers lawyer, Mr..
Morton, and, after several inquiries as
to the modus operandi of the drawing,
he paid So for a chance. He drew, and
drew blank lie invested another 50
however, and drew $40. Another s.
brought him $50. By this time Farmer
Hummell was interested. He put s.
and drew s.. His next draw was
blank, but, directed by Lawyer Morton,
he bought another chance and an enve-
lope marked CSC, 200, conditionally.'
The man in the wagon explained that
the conditions were that the drawer Of
the prize must pay over to the owner of
the game So 900 and then receive the
SO 900. DR.. Baxter and Lawyer Morton
warmly congratulated Farmer Hummell
on his good luck, and hoped he could
fulfil the conditions. He said he could
do that easy enough If he had couple
of hours time. The man in the ION
said it was usually spot cash with him,
but as lie would like to have the farm
er's influence in the vicinity in getting
him advertising privileges, which were
worth a great deal of money to him. he
would give him two hours time. The
farmer went to Sunbury and drew
50 900 from his deposit in the bank
there. He hurried back home, and
counted out to the man in the wagon
thirty 800 bills. The man coolly folded
the money, put it in his pocket and CIV
ing the horse cut with the whip, DASH
ed away, and before the farmer recov-
cred from his establishment was out of
sight. DR.. Baxter and Lawyer Morton
were profuse in their sympathy, and
telling the farmer they would call again
and render him their assistance in
capturing the impudent thief, they drove
away ia an opposite direction from that
taken by the man with the money. This
was the last seen or heard of the three
sharpers. Hummell was formerly fish
commissioner of the State, and he boasts
that he spends no money for newspa-
pers. In similar manner the same
persons, according to the description,
robbed Emanuel Dayinney, of York
county, of $1,000, VIM. Lightfoot, of
Cumberland county, of s., 900, and Sam
uel Gum, of Adams, of $4,000.